Firefighters in Hartlepool had to free the youngster, believed to be aged around 11, from the bus yesterday afternoon on Grange Road.

Paramedics took the girl to the University Hospital of Hartlepool for a check-up.

Hartlepool station officer Neil Rowland said: "When the bus stopped and the kids started getting off there seemed to be some pushing and shoving which resulted in the girl getting her ankle trapped in the door."

He said: "The driver did not want to operate the door and we were called to free her. She was trapped for a few minutes and a bit shocked. She was taken to hospital to be checked over."